Despite the Mtera dam water levels being low, we have streams and rivers in hundreds, a number of lakes and the great Indian Ocean.The hunger stalking the East African bloc has not affected us. In a number of regions, the harvest, though not bumper, is enough to keep the folks going to the next season.According to the government, the danger lies from farmers selling all their stocks, and the precious grains finding way to Kenya and other neighbouring countries.
Yet, despite of all the blessings Mother Nature has given us- water, land, gold and a most beautiful people, among many more bounties, we are at crossroads.Hope for better life, our dream of honey and flowing milk for our children, every day, is becoming a distant dream.When President Jakaya Kikwete came to power in 2005, under the banner of ushering in a new era in the country, where there would be “Maisha bora kwa kila Mtanzania” or better life for every Tanzanian, our hopes were sky high.Primary school children lined up in great expectation to see, the man who would change the nation. Almost the whole nation to the latter, supported him, and trusted his campaign rhetoric of improving the economic prospects of the people.We thought Mwalimu Julius Nyerere gave us independence, and Kikwete would give us economic freedom. That was the whole premise of the big support he got from voters and non-voters alike, which all wanted him to save them from the chains of poverty.
“Better life” was just a campaign message. If you look at it critically, it does not promise heaven to anyone, or economic freedom, for that matter.Now he has been in power for close to six years, our hopes are on the ground and fate seems not to have been on the side of the majority of Tanzanians.Forget about the top cadre leaders and business magnates who are insulated against lack of power, skyrocketing inflation and other problems that bedevils the common mwananchi.
We have more cars on our roads, more universities, more primary and secondary schools but then we have more and more poverty among the majority populace.The disease of inequality is slowly but surely strangling the nation. As far as economic development for poverty alleviation is concerned, we are taking two leaps forward and four backward.
Power shedding, which has become a reality of life, during the fourth phase government than any other time, seems to be the proverbial snake sucking life out of the economy.
Maybe in Kikwete’s regime more industries have been set up upping the need for power higher than at any other time in our history.This could explain the power shortages but does not water down the looming reality that the shortages unless contained will undo all the economic gains, the government could claim for the last decade or so.Enough ranting, we are the land of Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. I dare say- Tanzania is a paradise. Sadly, the country is infested with bad leadership at many levels, stops us from enjoying this paradise.Charismatic and preciseness leadership are the ingredients needed to make us a proud people once more, and better still, an economic powerhouse.
Regarding the power blues, no one should cheat us. There is no political will to solve the problem. It is a god sent opportunity to make use of solar a priority and also use other sources of power apart from hydro.This would require great leadership to ensure that the price of solar roofing sheets is the same price or cheaper than normal iron sheets.
*Saumu Jumanne is an Assistant Lecturer at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE).
Saumu.j@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment